Headline News from The Associated Press
AP Headline News - Mar 12 2024 19:00 (EDT)
AP News, I'm Ben Thomas, Special Counsel Robert Herr, today defended his investigation into President Biden's handling of classified documents, telling a congressional hearing politics played no part. Sagar Magani reports it was contentious. Democrats like Adam Schiff accused Herr of political games. You were not born yesterday. You understood exactly what you were doing. Herr pushed back. Politics played no part whatsoever. On the other side, Tom McClintock and Republicans argued Biden's own Justice Department is giving him a free pass, while prosecuting Donald Trump for what he called essentially "the same missteps." Now we get to this glaring double standard. Jamie Raskin and Democrats were quick to point out the two cases are not the same. Trump is being prosecuted for refusing to return the classified documents he took. The report establishes that President Biden offered complete and unhesitating cooperation with the Special Counsel's investigation. Sagar Magani Washington. The federal judge has approved the $92 million bond put up by former President Trump to ensure writer E. Jean Carroll will receive a jury award for his verbal attacks against her if it survives appeals. Russia says it's thwarted an incursion by Ukraine-based Russians killing 234 fighters. The Pentagon's sending about $300 million in weapons to Ukraine after finding cost savings in its contracts. In two detectives in Mexico investigating the disappearance of 43 students nearly 10 years ago have themselves gone missing. Norman Hall has details. President Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador said that a search effort has been launched to find the two federal agents. Lopez-Obrador said he hopes the disappearance of the detectives is not related to those who don't want to solve the 2014 case of 43 missing students from a rural teacher's college. Gangs are suspected of killing the students and burning their remains. I'm Norman Hall. This is AP News. Haya Pajwani reports the IRS has launched a new program for free online tax filing in 12 states. The pilot program calls a direct file, allows taxpayers to file returns directly to the IRS online for free. Some payers who have simple W-2s and claim a standard deduction are now eligible this tax season. Speaking of reporters, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says taxpayers no longer want to file taxes on paper. And we have a responsibility and an authority at the IRS to work with the tax-paying community to meet their needs as those needs evolve. We see a direct file as no different of just adding another option on the menu. The Treasury Department says that they estimate a third of all federal tax returns could be filed using the new direct file system. And that 19 million taxpayers could be eligible to use the tool this season. Haya Pajwani, Washington. And I'm Ben Thomas. AP News. Thanks for listening. Fargo. The new virtual assistant from Wells Fargo makes banking faster and easier. Like this. Fargo. What's my checking account routing number? And this. Fargo. Turn off my debit card. And this. Fargo. I spent on groceries last month. And that's just the beginning. Do you, Fargo? You can. In the Wells Fargo mobile app. Learn more at Wells Fargo dot com slash get Fargo. Terms and conditions apply, your mobile carriers availability and message and data rates may apply. Wells Fargo bank and AM member FDIC. Hello, Saver. Whether you're saving for that trip to the tropics or saving for an emergency, now is the time to take advantage of Wells Fargo's savings options. How does Fargo offer savings accounts that can help you save towards your goals? So, what are you saving for? Visit a Wells Fargo branch or Wells Fargo dot com slash save to open a savings account today. Wells Fargo bank NA member FDIC. (upbeat music)